Asian Geographic

Asian Geographic was established in 1999 as a Singapore-published geographic magazine with an explicitly environmental mission. Its initial format was quarterly, and its original motto, "The Journal of Our Environment," described a publication primarily concerned with ecological issues and environmental awareness. In 2000, the magazine became bimonthly, indicating an early move toward a more regular publishing cycle. The publication's editorial identity expanded in 2006. Alongside environmental reporting, it began addressing social and cultural issues in greater depth. This broadened remit positioned the magazine as a platform for interpreting Asia through several connected lenses: physical geography, communities, heritage, culture, conservation and society. The change was also described as an effort to attract a wider readership. In 2007, Asian Geographic adopted a monthly schedule and introduced the motto "Asia Without Borders," replacing the narrower environmental-era slogan with a statement of broader regional ambition. From 2009, the publication was issued every 45 days, resulting in eight issues per year. The revised schedule was accompanied by longer issues with more pages. Its editorial model centered on themed issues, with each edition focusing on a subject relevant to Asia. Articles drew on an international pool of contributors, including scholars, journalists, photographers and specialists in geographic, social and cultural fields. Contributor biographies were presented with articles, reinforcing the magazine's documentary and expert-led approach. The brand developed a related publication in August 2008 when Asian Geographic PASSPORT was launched. PASSPORT focused on travel and adventure and used rounded corners modeled on a conventional passport. Its motto, "Travel Without Borders," complemented the parent magazine's regional positioning while giving the publisher a distinct travel-oriented product. Together, the two titles supported a wider program of expeditions, photography workshops and competitions. Documented expeditions included travel to Ladakh in India, Siem Reap in Cambodia and portions of the Silk Road. The first identified Silk Road expedition covered a route in China from Kashgar to Xi'an. PASSPORT also organized travel photography workshops in locations including Kuching, Malaysia, and Chiang Mai, Thailand. Asian Geographic ran an annual "Asia Without Borders" photography competition, while both publications were associated with exploration and photographic activities. Environmental and social education remained central even after the editorial expansion. The brand identified conservation and exploration partners including Animals Asia Foundation, China Exploration and Research Society, Hornbill Project Singapore, Longitude 181 Nature, OceanNEnvironment, Seacology and WWF. Its conservation orientation was recognized in 2001 when "Bear Witness," a feature about the rescue of Asiatic black bears in China, won the Ark Trust International Award at the Genesis Awards. In 2006, a photograph of an elephant bathing in a Sri Lankan reserve received a Silver Award at the Asian Travel and Tourism Creative Awards. As of May 2008, the magazine was reported to have more than 300,000 readers in 44 countries. The available reference material does not establish the brand's current publication frequency, ownership beyond its identified publisher, executive leadership, financial performance or continuing operating status. Those matters therefore remain unresolved.

• 2009

  Adopted a 45-day publishing cycle

  [1]Asian Geographicen.wikipedia.org

  The magazine was reported to move to eight issues per year on a 45-day cycle, with expanded page counts.

• 2008

  Launch of Asian Geographic PASSPORT

  [1]Asian Geographicen.wikipedia.org

  The publisher launched a travel and adventure companion magazine using a passport-inspired physical design.

• 2007

  Monthly publication and new motto

  [1]Asian Geographicen.wikipedia.org

  The magazine became monthly and adopted the motto "Asia Without Borders."

• 2006

  Editorial scope broadened

  [1]Asian Geographicen.wikipedia.org

  Coverage expanded to include social and cultural issues in addition to environmental subjects.

• 2006

  Travel photography award

  [1]Asian Geographicen.wikipedia.org

  A photograph of an elephant bathing in a Sri Lankan reserve received a Silver Award at the Asian Travel and Tourism Creative Awards.

• 2001

  Genesis Awards recognition

  [1]Asian Geographicen.wikipedia.org

  The feature "Bear Witness" won the Ark Trust International Award at the Genesis Awards for its coverage of Asiatic black-bear rescue efforts in China.

• 2000

  Moved to bimonthly publication

  [1]Asian Geographicen.wikipedia.org

  The magazine increased its publishing frequency from quarterly to bimonthly.

• 1999

  Launch as an environmental quarterly

  [1]Asian Geographicen.wikipedia.org

  Asian Geographic began publication with an exclusive focus on environmental issues and the motto "The Journal of Our Environment."

A visually led, Asia-centered geographic and cultural publication combining environmental awareness, regional reporting, exploration, conservation, heritage and travel photography.

• Geographic magazine · 1999

  ASIAN Geographic

  The flagship magazine covers Asia through reporting and photography on geography, environment, conservation, culture, heritage, society, exploration and art. Its issues are organized around themes relevant to the region and draw on contributors from academic, journalistic, photographic and specialist backgrounds. The title began as an environmental quarterly before expanding into a broader geographic and cultural publication.

• Travel and adventure magazine · 2008

  ASIAN Geographic PASSPORT

  PASSPORT is a related travel and adventure title launched by the same publisher. It is distinguished by rounded corners inspired by a conventional passport and uses the motto "Travel Without Borders." Its subject matter complements Asian Geographic through destination coverage, adventure stories and travel photography, and the title has been linked to workshops and expeditions in Asian locations.

• Asia Without Borders photography competition

  Asia

  Asian Geographic organized an annual photography competition under the "Asia Without Borders" name, encouraging visual documentation of Asian places, people and subjects.

  Source
• Asian Geographic and PASSPORT expeditions

  India · Cambodia · China

  The publications organized expeditions to destinations including Ladakh, Siem Reap and sections of the Silk Road. A documented China route traveled from Kashgar to Xi'an.

  Source
• Travel photography workshops

  Malaysia · Thailand

  Asian Geographic PASSPORT organized photography workshops in destinations including Kuching and Chiang Mai, connecting the magazine brand with experiential travel and photographic education.

  Source

• 2009

  Change to an eight-issue annual cycleOther

  Background

  The publication had previously moved to a monthly schedule and was subsequently adjusted to a longer issue cycle.

  Action taken

  Asian Geographic was published every 45 days, resulting in eight issues per year with more pages.

  Source

• 2008

  Launch the PASSPORT companion titleProduct launch

  Background

  The publisher extended the Asian Geographic brand into travel and adventure media.

  Action taken

  Asian Geographic PASSPORT was introduced with a passport-inspired design and the motto "Travel Without Borders."

  Aftermath

  The related title supported travel expeditions and photography workshops alongside the flagship magazine.

  Source

• 2007

  Adopt the Asia Without Borders identityStrategy

  Background

  After broadening its editorial scope, the magazine repositioned itself as a wider regional publication.

  Action taken

  The title became monthly and adopted "Asia Without Borders" as its motto.

  Aftermath

  The new identity was also used for the brand's photography competition and expressed its broader geographic, cultural and social focus.

  Source

• 2006

  Expand coverage beyond environmental issuesStrategy

  Background

  The magazine initially concentrated on environmental subjects, but the publisher sought to broaden its appeal and readership.

  Action taken

  Asian Geographic added social and cultural issues to its editorial coverage.

  Aftermath

  The expanded remit preceded the 2007 monthly schedule and the adoption of the broader "Asia Without Borders" positioning.

  Source

1. 1Asian Geographicen.wikipedia.org